Deuteronomy 9:18

And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

And I fell down {H5307} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, as at the first {H7223}, forty {H705} days {H3117} and forty {H705} nights {H3915}: I did neither eat {H398} bread {H3899}, nor drink {H8354} water {H4325}, because of all your sins {H2403} which ye sinned {H2398}, in doing {H6213} wickedly {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, to provoke him to anger {H3707}.

Then I fell down before ADONAI, as I had the first time, for forty days and nights, during which time I neither ate food nor drank water, all because of the sin you committed by doing what was evil in the sight of ADONAI and thus provoking him.

Then I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, as I had done the first time. I did not eat bread or drink water because of all the sin you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD and provoking Him to anger.

And I fell down before Jehovah, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I did neither eat bread nor drink water; because of all your sin which ye sinned, in doing that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 9:18 describes Moses' profound act of intercession for the Israelites after their grave sin of creating the golden calf at Mount Horeb. This verse highlights his intense spiritual agony and commitment to mediating on behalf of a rebellious nation.

Context

Moses is recounting Israel's history to the new generation, emphasizing their persistent rebellion and God's faithfulness despite it. This specific verse refers to a critical moment shortly after God delivered the Ten Commandments. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the law, the people below grew impatient and pressured Aaron to make an idol (Exodus 32:1-6). Upon descending and witnessing their idolatry, Moses broke the tablets of the law in righteous anger. This verse details his subsequent return to the LORD, falling down in prayer for forty days and forty nights, mirroring his initial period of fasting when receiving the commandments (Exodus 24:18).

Key Themes

  • Intercession and Mediation: Moses stands as a powerful intercessor, pleading with God on behalf of a sinful people. His selfless act averted divine judgment, demonstrating the vital role of a mediator. This foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5).
  • Severity of Sin: The phrase "doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger" underscores the gravity of Israel's idolatry. It was a direct and deliberate betrayal of the covenant they had just entered into with God, a profound act of disrespect and rebellion.
  • Divine Holiness and Justice: God's anger is a righteous response to sin. His holiness cannot tolerate wickedness, and the Israelites' actions genuinely provoked His wrath, making their destruction a just consequence (Numbers 14:11).
  • Fasting and Repentance: Moses' extreme fast—neither eating bread nor drinking water—symbolizes the profound sorrow, spiritual burden, and earnestness of his prayer. It reflects a deep identification with the people's sin and a desperate plea for God's mercy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "to provoke him to anger" (לְהַכְעִיסוֹ l'hakh'iso) signifies causing deep vexation, indignation, or grief. It is not a casual irritation but an intentional act that stirs up righteous divine wrath due to a violation of trust and covenant relationship. This emphasizes the deliberate nature of Israel's rebellion.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 9:18 reminds us of several enduring truths:

  • The serious nature of sin and its capacity to provoke God's righteous anger.
  • The power and necessity of intercessory prayer, especially for those who are spiritually adrift or rebellious. Moses' example encourages believers to stand in the gap for others.
  • God's character, which, though just and holy in responding to sin, is also merciful and open to the pleas of His servants.
  • The call to self-humbling and earnest seeking of God's face, sometimes through fasting, when facing grave spiritual crises or the sins of a community.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 34:28

    ¶ And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

  • Deuteronomy 9:9

    When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, [even] the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:

  • Psalms 106:23

    Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy [them].

  • Deuteronomy 10:10

    And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, [and] the LORD would not destroy thee.

  • 2 Samuel 12:16

    David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

  • Exodus 32:10

    Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

  • Exodus 32:14

    And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
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